Absorbent microstructure arrays and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Absorbent microstructure panels are described herein. An example filter device includes a plurality of microstructure panels each having a front surface and a back surface, and a plurality of capillary ridges protruding from the front surface. The plurality of capillary ridges are each spaced apart from one another. The plurality of microstructure panels form an absorbent microstructure array by layering the plurality of microstructure panels together such that the plurality of capillary ridges of one microstructure panel contacts the back surface of an adjacent microstructure panel to create capillary tubes that draw fluid into the absorbent microstructure array.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication 62/283,051, filed on Aug. 19, 2015, and is a continuationapplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/233,701, filed on Aug. 10,2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety, including all references and appendices cited therein.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure is generally directed to absorbent objects, andmore particularly, but not by way of limitation, to absorbentmicrostructure arrays that are comprised of a plurality ofmicrostructure panels having capillary features. The plurality ofmicrostructure panels when stacked together form capillary tubes thatdraw fluid into the absorbent microstructure array.

SUMMARY

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to absorbentmicrostructure arrays that are used to absorb a fluid.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to anabsorbent microstructure array, comprising: (a) a plurality ofmicrostructure panels each having: (i) a front surface, a back surface,an upper edge, and a lower edge; (ii) a plurality of capillary ridgesprotruding from the front surface, the plurality of capillary ridgesbeing spaced apart from one another; and (b) a plurality ofmicrostructure panels that form an absorbent microstructure array bylayering the plurality of microstructure panels together such that theplurality of capillary ridges of one microstructure panel contacts theback surface of an adjacent microstructure panel to create capillarytubes that draw fluid into the absorbent microstructure array.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to anabsorbent microstructure array, comprising: (a) a plurality ofmicrostructure panels each having: (i) a front surface, a back surface,an upper edge, and a lower edge; and (ii) a corrugated capillary profileassociated with the front surface, the corrugated capillary profilecomprising alternating capillary ridges and capillary channels, thecapillary ridges forming a first set of capillary tubes with the frontsurface; and (b) a plurality of microstructure panels that form anabsorbent microstructure array by layering the plurality ofmicrostructure panels together such that the capillary ridges of onemicrostructure panel contact the back surface of an adjacentmicrostructure panel to create a second set of capillary tubes from thecapillary channels.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to aflexible absorbent microstructure array, comprising: (a) a plurality offlexible microstructure panels each having: (i) a front surface and aback surface; and (ii) a plurality of capillary ridges protruding fromthe front surface, the plurality of capillary ridges being spaced apartfrom one another; and (b) a plurality of microstructure panels that forman absorbent microstructure array by layering the plurality ofmicrostructure panels together such that the plurality of capillaryridges of one microstructure panel contacts the back surface of anadjacent microstructure panel to create capillary tubes that draw fluidinto the absorbent microstructure array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed disclosure, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

The methods and systems disclosed herein have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example absorbent microstructurearray of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a close up perspective view of the example absorbentmicrostructure array of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example microstructure panel of theabsorbent microstructure array of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top down perspective view of a portion of the absorbentmicrostructure array of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example microstructure panelcomprising capillary ridge walls.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional example microstructurepanel comprising capillary ridge walls.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example absorbent microstructurearray having microstructure panels set at an angle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of an enclosingmicrostructure panel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example of an absorbentmicrostructure array a substantially flat configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example microstructure panelcomprising capillary ridges with a nano-structure coating.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example of an absorbentmicrostructure array having cross notched capillary ridges.

FIGS. 12 and 13 collectively illustrate a perspective view of an exampleof an absorbent microstructure having microstructure panels with acorrugated capillary profile.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example of an absorbentmicrostructure array having various rows of differently sized capillaryridges.

FIG. 15 is a close-up view a portion of the absorbent microstructurearray of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an example microstructure panelcomprising tapered capillary ridges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to absorbent microstructure arraysthat can be utilized in a wide variety of products. Examples of productsthat can incorporate the absorbent microstructure arrays include, butare not limited to diapers, mops, hygiene, sponges, and towels—just toname a few.

The absorbent microstructure arrays can be fabricated with flexible orridged materials. In the case of a sponge, where it is desirable tosqueeze out fluids from the capillary tubes, portions of the absorbentmicrostructure arrays should be flexible. In the case of a diaper,portions of the absorbent microstructure arrays are ridged so the fluidis not expelled when an individual moves or sits while other portions ofthe absorbent microstructure arrays are flexible to allow for the diaperto conform to the body.

In some embodiments, the absorbent microstructure arrays can be utilizedto uptake and store a fluid. The absorbent microstructure arrays can beused to transport the fluid in one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an example absorbent microstructurearray (referred to hereinafter as “array 100”) that is comprised of aplurality of microstructure panels, such as microstructure panel 102.The plurality of microstructure panels are layered or stacked in variousconfigurations to create the array 100. For reference, the array 100 canhave a height of approximately one millimeter in one embodiment.Absorbent microstructure arrays can have any dimension desired, based ondesign requirements such as volume of fluid to be absorbed and a size ofan object that is to incorporate the absorbent microstructure array(s).

FIGS. 2 and 3 collectively illustrate a close-up perspective view of themicrostructure panel 102 that comprises a front surface 106, a backsurface 108, an upper edge 110, a lower edge 112, a right edge 114, anda left edge 116. The right edge 114 and left edge 116 are bestillustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the microstructure panel 102is constructed from a base or substrate 101 that is constructed from asolid material such as a polymer, while in other embodiments thesubstrate 101 can be fabricated from a porous material that allows fluidto be filtered and or transmitted between the pluralities ofmicrostructure panels.

In one embodiment, the microstructure panel 102 comprises a plurality ofcapillary ridges, such as capillary ridges 118 and 120, which areadjacent to one another. The capillary ridges protrude or extend fromthe front surface 106. In one embodiment, a spacing S between thecapillary ridges 118 and 120 defines a width dimension of a capillarytube that is created when the microstructure panels are mated togetherto form the array 100.

The dimensions of an example capillary tube are illustrated below anddescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4.

Each of the capillary ridges extends from the upper edge 110 towards thelower edge 112. In some embodiments, the capillary ridges begin aspecified distance from the upper edge 110 and terminate at a distanceaway from the lower edge 112 to create a border 122 around the pluralityof capillary ridges. The leftmost and rightmost ones of the capillaryridges can also be set in at a distance away from the right edge 114 andleft edge 116 respectively, to further define the border 122. In someembodiments the microstructure panel does not incorporate a border.

In FIG. 4, the capillary ridges, such as capillary ridge 118 comprises aheight HCR that specifies a distance that the capillary ridge 118extends away from the front surface 106. The capillary ridge 118 alsohas a width dimension W_(CR) that specifies a distance between opposingsidewalls 124 and 126 of the capillary ridge 118. The capillary ridge118 also comprises a contacting surface 128 that mates with the backsurface of an adjacent panel.

It will be understood that the plurality of microstructure panels formthe array 100 by layering the plurality of microstructure panelstogether such that the plurality of capillary ridges of onemicrostructure panel contacts the back surface of an adjacentmicrostructure panel to create capillary tubes that draw fluid into theabsorbent microstructure array. For example, the capillary ridges 130 ofmicrostructure panel 132 contact a back surface 134 of an adjacentmicrostructure panel 136.

In some embodiments, the capillary ridges contact adjacent panels tocreate capillary tubes, such as capillary tube 138. The capillary tube138 has a width dimension W_(CT). The width dimension of the capillarytube 138 is defined by the spacing between the capillary ridges, such ascapillary ridges 140 and 142. The capillary tube 138 has a substantiallyrectangular cross section in this embodiment. The shape of the capillarytube 138 is defined by the shape of the sidewalls of the capillaryridges that form a portion of the capillary tube 138. For example, ifthe sidewalls of the capillary ridges 140 and 142 were concave in shape(measured from the contacting surface of the capillary ridge down to thefront surface of the microstructure panel), the capillary tube 138 wouldhave a substantially elliptical cross section.

In some embodiments, an enclosing microstructure panel 144 is placedover the plurality of capillary ridges of a terminal microstructurepanel 146 (also referred to in FIGS. 1-3 as microstructure panel 102) ofthe plurality of microstructure panels. The enclosing microstructurepanel has a flat front surface 148 in some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates another microstructure panel 200 that comprisesvarious capillary wall ridges, such as capillary wall ridge 202 thatfunction to restrict fluid flow. In one embodiment, sections ofcapillary ridges can be separated or segmented using capillary wallridges. For example a first section capillary ridges 204 is partiallysurrounded by a capillary wall ridge 202. The first section capillaryridges 204 is disposed adjacent to a second section of capillary ridges206 that are partially surrounded by a capillary wall ridge 208. Ofnote, a lower area 210 of the capillary ridges is not enclosed by acapillary wall ridge. Thus, fluid can be drawn between the capillaryridges (when the microstructure panel 200 is assembled into an array)from a lower edge of the microstructure panel 200 but excluded fromexiting a top edge 212 of the microstructure panel 200 and/or the rightside 214 and left side 216 of the microstructure panel 200. In one usecase, when the microstructure panel 200 is made from a flexible materialand the microstructure panel 200 compressed, the capillary wall ridgesreduce the ability of the fluid to be squeezed from the top or sides ofan array.

In FIG. 6, another microstructure panel 300 comprises a capillary wallridge 302 that extends along a length of an upper edge 304 of themicrostructure panel 300 and connects to outermost capillary ridges(such as outermost capillary ridge 306) to prevent fluid from beingdrawn above the capillary wall ridge or outwardly from a left edge orright edge of the plurality of microstructure panels and/or array whenassembled into an absorbent microstructure array.

In addition to varying the construction of the microstructure panels,some embodiments of absorbent microstructure arrays can be layered inunique manners. For example, in FIG. 7, each of a plurality ofmicrostructure panels is laid in a feathered or offset pattern to createan absorbent microstructure array 700. In this configuration, adjacentmicrostructure panels such as panel 702 and 704 are set at an angle θthat is measured relative to a reference plane P. For context, thereference plane P is oriented perpendicularly to embodiments where themicrostructure panels are vertically oriented such as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, the microstructure panels of theabsorbent microstructure array 700 are set at approximately 45 degrees(other angles can likewise be utilized). The angling of themicrostructure panels allows for the placement and use of the absorbentmicrostructure array 700 in a location where height is a limitingfactor, such as thin materials like diapers or floor mop heads.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example layer of enclosing microstructure panels800 that can be placed over exposed ones of the plurality of capillaryridges of the plurality of microstructure panels of the absorbentmicrostructure array 700 of FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the layer ofenclosing microstructure panels 800 each has a flat front surface.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example array 900 of microstructure panels thatare stacked upon one another in an offset manner. This is a collapsedconfiguration of microstructure panels which allows the array 900 to belaid relatively flat compared to the angled configuration illustrated inFIG. 8. This configuration of microstructure panels allows for anabsorbent array that can be oriented while storing and transportingfluid a significant distance from a collection area.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example microstructure panel 1000 thatcomprises capillary ridges with nano-coating 1002 that function toincrease the capillary action of the capillary tubes created when aplurality of the microstructure panels 1000 are joined together tocreate an absorbent microstructure array. In some embodiments, thenano-coating 1002 includes nano-structures such as bumps that enhancecapillary action of the plurality of microstructure panels relative tothe plurality of microstructure panels with no nano-structure coating.In FIG. 10, only two of the capillary channel surfaces are shown to becoated. Any number of the surfaces could be coated if desired.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example absorbent microstructure array 1100having a plurality of microstructure panels such as microstructure panel1102 that comprises capillary ridges that have cross-cut notches, suchas cross-cut notch 1104. The cross-cut notches create additional volumefor fluid collection. That is, when fluid is drawn into a capillary tube1106, the fluid will begin to cross the capillary ridges through thecross-cut notches.

FIGS. 12 and 13 collectively illustrate another example absorbentmicrostructure array 1200 having microstructure panels with corrugatedcapillary ridges. For example, the microstructure panel 1202 comprises acorrugated capillary profile 1204 associated with a front surface 1206of the microstructure panel 1202. In one embodiment, the corrugatedcapillary profile 1204 comprises alternating capillary ridges, such ascapillary ridge 1208 and capillary channels such as capillary channel1210. The capillary ridges form a first set of capillary tubes, such ascapillary tube 1212, with the front surface 1206.

The plurality of microstructure panels form the absorbent microstructurearray 1200 by layering the plurality of microstructure panels togethersuch that the capillary ridges of one microstructure panel (for examplepanel 1214) contact the back surface of an adjacent microstructure panel(for example panel 1216) to create a second set of capillary tubes, suchas capillary tube 1218, in cooperation with the capillary channels.

FIGS. 14 and 15 collectively illustrate yet another example absorbentmicrostructure array 1300 that comprises rows of capillary ridges ofvarying size and configuration. In one embodiment, the array 1300 isconstructed from a plurality of microstructure panels such asmicrostructure panel 1302. A close up view of section A/A of themicrostructure panel 1302 is illustrated in FIG. 15.

In one embodiment, the plurality of capillary ridges of themicrostructure panel 1302 comprises two rows of capillary ridges. Afirst row 1304 of the two rows comprise capillary ridges having a firstwidth W₁ and a second row 1306 of the two rows comprise capillary ridgescreate spaces with a second width W₂ that is different to that of thefirst width W₁. While two rows of capillary ridges are illustrated anddescribed, additional rows of capillary ridges can be utilized. Forexample, a plurality of capillary ridges rows can be arranged such thatthe capillary channels (e.g., space between adjacent capillary ridges)of higher rows of capillary ridges are successively narrower towards atop of the microstructure array.

In some embodiments, the first row 1304 of the two rows of capillaryridges are offset from the second row 1306 of the two rows of capillaryridges such that the first row 1304 of the two rows of capillary ridgesare disposed at least partially within in the spaces (capillarychannels) between the second row 1306 of the two rows of capillaryridges. The interleaving or lacing of the first and second rows createsnarrower spacing between the capillary ridges of the second row 1306 andadjacent capillary rows of the first row 1304 on either side of thenarrower capillary ridges of the second row 1306.

FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of another example microstructure panel1400 that comprises a plurality of capillary ridges 1402 that aretapered from a lower edge 1404 to an upper edge 1406 to compensate forforces exerted on the fluid due to gravity. That is, as the spacebetween adjacent capillary ridges narrows, the capillary effectincreases, thereby increasing the velocity of the fluid to compensatefor the force of gravity.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, theappearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or“according to one embodiment” (or other phrases having similar import)at various places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Furthermore, depending on the context ofdiscussion herein, a singular term may include its plural forms and aplural term may include its singular form. Similarly, a hyphenated term(e.g., “on-demand”) may be occasionally interchangeably used with itsnon-hyphenated version (e.g., “on demand”), a capitalized entry (e.g.,“Software”) may be interchangeably used with its non-capitalized version(e.g., “software”), a plural term may be indicated with or without anapostrophe (e.g., PE's or PEs), and an italicized term (e.g., “N+1”) maybe interchangeably used with its non-italicized version (e.g., “N+1”).Such occasional interchangeable uses shall not be consideredinconsistent with each other.

Also, some embodiments may be described in terms of “means for”performing a task or set of tasks. It will be understood that a “meansfor” may be expressed herein in terms of a structure, device, assembly,sub-assembly, component, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, insome embodiments the “means for” is expressed in terms of prose, or as aflow chart or a diagram.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

It is noted at the outset that the terms “coupled,” “connected”,“connecting,” “mechanically connected,” etc., are used interchangeablyherein to generally refer to the condition of being mechanically orphysically connected. It is further noted that various figures(including component diagrams) shown and discussed herein are forillustrative purpose only, and are not drawn to scale.

If any disclosures are incorporated herein by reference and suchincorporated disclosures conflict in part and/or in whole with thepresent disclosure, then to the extent of conflict, and/or broaderdisclosure, and/or broader definition of terms, the present disclosurecontrols. If such incorporated disclosures conflict in part and/or inwhole with one another, then to the extent of conflict, the later-dateddisclosure controls.

The terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full orpartial, temporary or permanent, immediate or delayed, synchronous orasynchronous, action or inaction. For example, when an element isreferred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element,then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the otherelement and/or intervening elements may be present, including indirectand/or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element,there are no intervening elements present.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describevarious elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, theseelements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notnecessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a firstelement, component, region, layer or section discussed below could betermed a second element, component, region, layer or section withoutdeparting from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be necessarily limiting of thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes” and/or“comprising,” “including” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediatestructures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from theshapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturingtechniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the exampleembodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed asnecessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustratedherein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, forexample, from manufacturing.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same,structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or beseparately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assemblyand/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can bemanufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additivemanufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and/or other any other types ofmanufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include threedimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control(CNC) routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming,hydroforming, injection molding, lithography and/or others.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whetherpartially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, aceramic, an amorphous solid, such as glass, a glass ceramic, an organicsolid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a compositematerial, a semiconductor, a nano-material, a biomaterial and/or anycombinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, caninclude, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including aninformational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesivecoating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, suchas tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such asfor tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency,translucency, non-transparency, luminescence, anti-reflection and/orholographic, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermalproperty coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance orconduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproofcoating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Theterms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized and/or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and“upper” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Suchrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofillustrated technologies in addition to the orientation depicted in theaccompanying drawings. For example, if a device in the accompanyingdrawings is turned over, then the elements described as being on the“lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sidesof the other elements. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures isturned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elementswould then be oriented “above” the other elements. Therefore, theexample terms “below” and “lower” can, therefore, encompass both anorientation of above and below.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention to the particular forms set forth herein. To the contrary, thepresent descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives,modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwiseappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the breadth andscope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent microstructure array, comprising: aplurality of microstructure panels each having: a front surface, a backsurface, and a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge andthe second edge are opposite with respect to each other and wherein athird edge and a fourth edge are opposite with respect to each other;and a corrugated capillary profile associated with the front surface,the corrugated capillary profile comprises alternating arcuate capillaryridges and arcuate capillary channels, the alternating arcuate capillaryridges and the arcuate capillary channels being straight and extendingorthogonally to the first edge and the second edge, the alternatingarcuate capillary ridges forming a first set of capillary tubes with thefront surface; a capillary wall ridge disposed outside a periphery ofthe alternating arcuate capillary ridges, the capillary wall ridgecomprising: a first section extending parallel to a first outermostarcuate capillary ridge of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges; asecond section extending parallel to a second outermost arcuatecapillary ridge of the alternating arcuate capillary ridges; a thirdsection extending orthogonally to first ends of the alternating arcuatecapillary ridges, the third section being connected, by a first end ofthe third section, to the first section and connected, by a second endof the third section, to the second section; and one or more fourthsections extending from the third section along the alternating arcuatecapillary ridges in a direction towards second ends of the alternatingarcuate capillary ridges, the one or more fourth sections being disposedin parallel to the first section and the second section and beingdistributed uniformly between the first section and the second section,the one or more fourth sections segmenting the alternating arcuatecapillary ridges into sections and restricting a fluid flow between thesections; and the plurality of microstructure panels form an absorbentmicrostructure array by layering the plurality of microstructure panelstogether such that the alternating arcuate capillary ridges of onemicrostructure panel contact the back surface of an adjacentmicrostructure panel to create a second set of capillary tubes from thearcuate capillary channels.
 2. The absorbent microstructure arrayaccording to claim 1, wherein the plurality of microstructure panels arearranged at an angle relative to a reference plane P that isperpendicular to the plurality of microstructure panels when theplurality of microstructure panels are vertically oriented.
 3. Theabsorbent microstructure array according to claim 2, further comprisinga layer of enclosing microstructure panels that are placed over exposedones of the plurality of capillary ridges of the plurality ofmicrostructure panels, the layer of enclosing microstructure panels eachhaving a flat front surface.
 4. The absorbent microstructure arrayaccording to claim 1, further comprising an enclosing microstructurepanel that is placed over the plurality of capillary ridges of aterminal microstructure panel of the plurality of microstructure panels,the enclosing microstructure panel having a flat front surface.
 5. Theabsorbent microstructure array according to claim 1, wherein thecapillary wall ridge connects to outermost capillary ridges and preventsfluid from being drawn above the capillary wall ridge.
 6. The absorbentmicrostructure array according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofthe plurality of capillary ridges are tapered from the second edge tothe first edge to compensate for forces exerted on fluid due to gravity.7. The absorbent microstructure array according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of microstructure panels are constructed from a flexiblematerial.
 8. The absorbent microstructure array according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of capillary ridges and the front surface arecoated with nano-structures that enhance capillary action of theplurality of microstructure panels relative to a plurality ofmicrostructure panels with no nano-structure coating.
 9. The absorbentmicrostructure array according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcapillary ridges comprise cross-cut notches.
 10. The absorbentmicrostructure array according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcapillary ridges comprises two rows of capillary ridges, wherein a firstof the two rows comprise capillary ridges having a first width and asecond of the two rows comprise capillary ridges having a second widththat is different that the first width.
 11. The absorbent microstructurearray according to claim 10, wherein the first of the two rows ofcapillary ridges is offset from the second of the two rows of capillaryridges such that the capillary ridges in the first of the two rows aredisposed in the spaces between the capillary ridges of the second of thetwo rows of capillary ridges.
 12. The absorbent microstructure arrayaccording to claim 10, wherein the capillary ridges of the first of thetwo rows of capillary ridges extend into the spaces between thecapillary ridges of the second of the two rows of capillary ridges. 13.The absorbent microstructure array according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of capillary ridges extends from the first edge to the secondedge of the microstructure panels.